Kuroko was pretty surprised when his phone buzzed to life during lunch break.

Ogiwara had paused from his rather animated chatter to let Tetsuya check if it was an emergency or anything of that sort. It was unusual for him to receive messages at this time of the day. He sat back and waited as Kuroko scanned his eyes over the contents once before snapping the device shut and shifting his attention back to him.

"You were saying?" he urged, the look on his face utterly unchanged. Ogiwara raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing important?" he asked, and Kuroko shook his head.

"Not really," he said, pausing to take a sip out of his milk packet before he resumed talking. "It's just that you'll probably have to go home first without me later, Shigehiro-kun."

Ogiwara tilted his head slightly to the side, curious. "Something up?"

"Apparently," Kuroko murmured, looking thoughtful. Ogiwara took a moment to study his face. Ah. He got a feeling he knew what's up.

"Just try not to come home too late, okay?" he said, willing himself to let the subject drop. He figured he really shouldn't pry too much into his brother-figure's business. Tetsuya had a life of his own too. They were all old enough. It was about time for him to stop being so overprotective over him.

"I will," Tetsuya promised, and Ogiwara broke into a grin. He'll definitely be back earlier than they'd expect.

"So," Ogiwara leaned forward once more with his returning excitement. Kuroko was almost tempted to point out that he was about to fall off his chair if he kept sitting like that. "About the coming spring break.."

xXx

When Kuroko arrived at the bus stop, Kagami was nowhere to be seen.

He casted his gaze around just in case the redhead was actually there and had just wandered off somewhere, but considering how tall he was, Kuroko guessed he wouldn't miss him if he was. Exhaling a breath through his mouth, Kuroko leaned his bicycle against the side of the stand and walked over to take a seat. He casted his gaze into the distance, silently admiring the view. It wasn't every day he got to spend some time alone outside like this at this hour.

Winter had finally came to an end and the cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom. Spring was starting to cover the bareness of the previous season; the trees no longer leafless, the sidewalks no longer layered with white. Spring represented renewal, rebirth. A season of beginnings as well as endings. Once graduation came around, Kuroko would be starting a new semester in school as a third year. And once the next spring came along, he'd be a high-schooler. Now that he thought of it, time did seem to pass incredibly fast all of the sudden.

Before he knew it, Kuroko would be old enough to leave the orphanage, find a real job and have a home of his own. It will be his turn to leave.

"Sorry I'm late."

Kuroko regarded the newly-arrived redhead out of the corner of his eye. It randomly occurred to him that it's been a while since he saw him in his Teikou uniform. He looked sloppy; with his cardigan unbuttoned and shirt untucked. Kuroko didn't think Teikou was that lenient with the dress code since it's a private school and all, but then again, it was Kagami they were talking about. He probably wouldn't care either way.

"It's alright. I just got here myself," Kuroko said, shifting to give the redhead some space to settle down. Kagami sat down rather heavily beside him, heaving a sigh as he did so. He looked more physically drained than Kuroko had seen in a while.

"Sorry for dragging you out here all of the sudden," Kagami muttered absently, raking his fingers through his hair.

"Kagami-kun's apologizing a lot today," Kuroko pointed out, and Kagami laughed without much humor. Judging from the air around them so far, Kuroko figured the redhead's really bothered by whatever's on his mind at the moment.

"I guess I am, huh?" was all Kagami said before falling silent. It's a little unlike him to be this distraught. Kuroko was somehow reminded of how he himself had been a few months back when he was utterly undecided and at loss over Daiki's problem.

"What did you want to talk about?" Kuroko wasn't usually the one to break the silence, but he supposed he had no choice if he wanted to actually get things done. Kagami didn't reply right away, instead choosing to stare into space a moment longer before breathing a huff, and turning to face the shorter boy.

"Hey, Kuroko?" he started, and Kuroko recognized the look in his eyes as the very same one he was wearing when he spotted him outside their home during the time he was seeing Atsushi off. "What should I do if someone I'd considered my own brother for the longest time decides to never be my brother anymore?"

Kuroko raised an eyebrow at him before taking a wild guess. "Is it Himuro-san?"

Kagami didn't even bother asking him how he knew. "Yeah. It's about a promise we made a long time ago."

And he proceeded to tell him all about how Himuro was his first friend when he just moved to the States and how he was the one who'd gotten him so hooked on basketball. He told him about the healthy rivalry between them and how they'd had an agreement to decide on who's better by going head to head in games. He recalled how they'd finally ended up with a draw of fifty wins each, and how Himuro had warned him to not go easy on him on their match to decide the victor of their agreement despite having just injured his ankle recently.

"I honestly thought I gave it all I had," Kagami resumed after a pause for a breath, absently twisting his fingers. "Tatsuya won that match, but he told me it didn't count because he felt I was holding back despite what he said. He got really mad at me after that."

"And then he chose not to be your brother any longer?" Kuroko asked, and Kagami shrugged one shoulder.

"He told me that after the next match, no matter what the outcome would be, we must stop acknowledging each other as brothers so that we could be actual rivals." He frowned slightly. "We didn't manage to play in another game in time before I returned here. When I saw him with Yosen for that practice match that day, I was hoping he'd forgotten. I was hoping maybe he's no longer angry at me after so long. But I was wrong."

"So you're here now to ask me if you should leave it as that," Kuroko finished for him. Kagami shifted his gaze, lifting his hand to rub the back of his neck.

"Sorry."

"No need to apologize," Kuroko told him earnestly. Really, he didn't mind. "Kagami-kun has done so much for me. It's the least I can do to help you out in return when you need it." He then slipped into a moment of thoughtful silence before speaking again, tapping his chin as he tried to sort things out in his mind. "First thing's first, are you happy about it?"

"You kidding? I practically lost sleep over this," Kagami returned in a deadpan and Kuroko couldn't help blanching.

"Ah, my bad," he said, sounding a little embarrassed. He really wasn't that good at this, was he? He was pretty much just remembering how his conversations with Ogiwara and Matron always went whenever a similar subject popped up in their conversation. Well, whatever. He should still try his best. "You've tried talking to him about it, haven't you?"

"Tatsuya's insistent," Kagami affirmed, lacing his fingers together to stop his own fidgeting. "And part of me sort of agrees that perhaps I deserve it. I shouldn't have looked down on him on that match. I should've respected him and gave it all I had like he told me to."

"But isn't breaking off your brotherhood just because of a game a little too much?" Kuroko pointed out, and Kagami couldn't help thinking he was a right, in a way. "I mean, you're also at blame for hurting his pride, but was it really worth ruining your friendship over?"

From his hesitance, Kuroko could tell he thought not. Throughout his entire childhood, Kuroko had forced himself to accept being separated from his siblings in the orphanage because adoption wasn't really something he had any say over. It's not like he could start screaming and throwing tantrums when a family decides to take one of them in. And it's because he's aware that their time together was limited that he'd learnt to cherish every bond, every moment he had with them while he still could.

If it's within their control, Kuroko wholeheartedly did not want Kagami to lose a brother who obviously meant so much to him.

"Don't you think you can be rivals and brothers at the same time?" he asked, and from the way the taller boy stared at him then, he guessed that hadn't really occurred to him until he mentioned it. Sometimes, Kuroko wasn't sure whether to feel baffled, amazed or simply weary at Kagami's ability to keep such a relatively narrow perspective of things. All he had in his mind was basketball, huh? That couldn't be healthy, but he supposed there's still time for him to improve.

"Try talking it out with him again," Kuroko suggested further. "Perhaps all he wants is a proper apology from you. Tell him how you really feel, and I'm sure Himuro-san's will understand and think it over."

"I guess I'll give it a shot?" Kagami muttered, still sounding slightly uncertain. "I just hope he'll pick up my calls."

"He will," Kuroko assured. If he could put up with Atsushi's childishness on a daily basis, he should be sensible enough to listen to a childhood friend. "Have some faith in him, Kagami-kun."

After all, it's spring; a season of renewals, restarts. And perhaps, in this case, it could even be a season of second chances.

xXx

On the first two days of spring break, Kuroko went for a school trip to Kyoto.

It's a joint event that involved Ogiwara's class and his own, with the former being one of the people who'd suggested organizing it in the first place. Ogiwara had reasoned that they should have one last good memory together after the grueling final exams before getting separated the following semester, and since his homeroom teacher happened to be a really close friend to Kuroko's, it was a given that the two classes were going together.

Embarrassing as it was for him to admit, Kuroko couldn't really sleep the night before the big day. He couldn't help feeling excited because it was his very first school trip. He'd never taken part in those held by his past classmates because he thought he should just stay at home and help Matron take care of the children and all that. Ogiwara had tried his best to convince him this time, and with the help of Matron and the rest of the older children, he was successful. Kuroko had finally allowed himself to indulge for once in his life.

Kuroko was kept awake by sheer adrenaline right until the point where they boarded the bullet train. Ogiwara did not even bother to tease him for conking out as soon as he settled down on his seat because it wasn't like he was in a better condition, really. He'd practically gotten out of bed still half asleep.

Kuroko woke around ninety minutes into their journey, leaving him a little less than another hour to actually admire the scenery outside. He leaned a little forward to peer past the sleeping Ogiwara (who, was in danger of drooling all over his collar) and out the glass window. With the speed and direction of the train, it almost looked as if the landscape was flowing backwards as a massive, colorful river. According to the text projected by the pixilated screen up front, they had already crossed the border between Tokyo and Kyoto, and they were currently travelling past the outskirts of the latter. Everywhere he looked, Kuroko saw greenery; fields that spread far and wide, hills that blotted out the sky. It was a pleasant contrast to home; the lack of buildings and concrete.

Eventually, Kuroko could see the transition from the outskirts to the town area. It began with more houses popping up, followed by shops, flats, and office buildings. Ogiwara awoke just as they were entering the main city, greeted by the impressive assortment of skyscrapers that rivaled those in Tokyo. He took a second to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand before turning to ogle at the sight beyond the window, amazed by how the city seemed so familiar yet so foreign at the same time.

Kuroko was sure he wasn't the only one who'd barely heard stewardess when she reminded everyone on board to not leave anything important behind before they got off. The teachers who chaperoned them were every bit as excited as their students; they practically raced them out of the train and onto the platform. As he was shuffling his way out, Kuroko felt Ogiwara taking his hand to make sure he wouldn't lose him in the crowd. He didn't complain. With all the excitement, he was a little afraid he would've been pushed right back into the train, too.

Kyoto Station, needless to say, was huge and quite overwhelming. Unlike the unique olden Western design of its counterpart in Tokyo, this place was the image of modernity - especially its main courtyard. Everywhere they looked, it was glass, metal and concrete. Kuroko could only barely stop himself from gaping as he tilted his head upwards to admire the weave-like criss-cross design of the ceiling above them. He had to be careful not to wander too far away from the group because there were loads of people around since it was spring break.

The students were later given some time to make a trip to the restrooms and explore the station a bit before they were to regroup once more and proceed to their next destination. Ogiwara immediately dragged Kuroko to browse through the few shops he'd had his eye on when they walked past earlier. Most of them were souvenir shops selling the local specialties while a few others were snack booths with way too many people for Kuroko's comfort.

The students of the two classes regrouped in front of the main entrance around thirty minutes later to board the bus and head to their next destination. While many others were either busy chattering among themselves or taking selfies and the like, Kuroko and Ogiwara once more focused their attention to gaze at the view outside. The two of them had never actually been to the center of a huge, modern city before and everything seemed almost alien. The streets were different, the buildings were different, even the trees were different.

It was amazing.

Going to Kyoto, it's a must for them to visit at least a shrine or two, and that was exactly where they were headed. The bus came to a stop a little distance from the huge Torii gate of the renowned Heian Jingu Shrine. As much as he looked forward to seeing the place, Kuroko couldn't help dreading having to get off the bus because he could already see just how packed it was. The experience was something else, but the memory of countless elbows to his ribs and a variety of body odor didn't exactly sound appealing.

Kuroko gathered the willpower to drag himself there anyway; he figured he'd already came this far. Ogiwara was once more careful not to let him disappear into the crowd by holding on to his sleeve - with the number of people around combined with his weak presence, Kuroko would practically be impossible to find if they were to lose him then. The last thing Ogiwara wanted was to go home the morning after the next and report to Matron with tears in his eyes that they'd lost another sibling and it was his fault. It wouldn't be pretty.

The group was directed to pay their respects to the deities of the shrine before they were left to their own devices. Kuroko and Ogiwara were at once compelled to find a spot that's not so crowded with people, and it wasn't long before they ended up in the gardens. The main attraction itself was impressive enough, but the beauty of the gardens was breathtaking. It almost seemed as if they'd stepped into another world entirely! The place was a lush expanse of flowers and greenery. Trees with low branches formed canopies across the garden. Tall cherry blossom trees that were soon to bloom stood proudly in rows and clusters, their branches already dotted with pink in preparation for their moment of glory.

The pair chatted idly as they strolled down the gravel paths, discussing trivial things like the new school year and how a good number of the younger children at home would be starting elementary school soon. Their mornings would be livelier, and the house would undoubtedly be a whole lot quieter with their absence during school hours. There would be more stories to trade during dinner, more new experiences to share.

"Everyone's growing up," Kuroko murmured, seemingly dazed with the realization that abruptly hit him. Hearing that, Ogiwara barked out an amused laugh.

"We sure are," he agreed, scratching the back of his head. His expression quickly grew somber. "I'm not sure I'm too ready for all these slowly becoming adults business, though," he admitted sheepishly.

"It'll be alright," Kuroko assured, staring at his own feet as he trudged on. "We just have to take things one step at a time."

"You make it sound easy," Ogiwara whined, kicking a stray pebble off his way. Kuroko shrugged.

"I have to," he said, glancing at his companion through the corner of his eye, the corners of his lips lifted in a small, weary smile. "Or else I'll be afraid of the future too."

"Let's just be afraid of it together, yeah?" Ogiwara proposed, playfully slinging his arm across the shorter boy's shoulders. Kuroko didn't try to push him away, instead letting himself indulge in the moment a few minutes longer. That's right. They're not alone. They had friends and family who would walk on the same road with them. And they'll meet new people on the way. It's okay. They'll be fine. They won't be alone.

"I'd prefer not to be scared at all, frankly," Kuroko said, coming to a stop at the end of the garden path. Before them was a big pond of sorts; the water crystal clear with clusters of lily pads scattered randomly on the surface, the smell of fresh dampness hanging in the air. A series of circular stone steps led to the other side of the pond, continuing in yet another gravel path.

"Knowing you, you'll probably survive, no problem," Ogiwara told him, kneeling down next to him by the edge of the pond to peer into the water. There weren't many fish around as far as they could see, but they did manage to spot some tadpoles and a couple of carps swimming around. The silence that surrounded them as they gazed into the water was calming; the tranquility of it all a nice difference to the bustle back at the shrine centre.

They stayed there a little while longer before deciding to cross the pond and go to the other side. Ogiwara daringly hopped from step to step while Kuroko trailed behind, wary of falling into the water. The latter figured getting soaked would be too troubling in a school trip. Nevertheless, they managed to go over safely, and they were just about to go on their way when Ogiwara abruptly stopped in his tracks, causing the shorter boy to accidentally bump into him.

"Ah, sorry," Kuroko immediately apologized, but Ogiwara didn't seem to have heard him. Curious, Kuroko leaned slightly sideways to look ahead, wondering what could've halted him.

There was a group of students standing several meters in front of them, huddled together in a casual conversation. Standing among them and looking comically dwarfed due to the difference in height between him the rest of his mates, was a boy of Kuroko's age with short, slightly messy bright red hair. With his arms crossed and the set of his shoulders, he carried an air of certain elegance around him, his posture that of relaxed confidence. He was exactly how Kuroko remembered him to be, yet something didn't seem quite right. He used to look softer, kinder, less calculating. His left eye used to be red like its right counterpart and not the color of liquid gold.

But with that overall appearance and demeanor, there was no way it couldn't be-

Kuroko glanced down to see Ogiwara slowly curling his fingers into a tight fist, before muttering a name.

"Seijuurou."


I guess even a sorry wouldn't cut it for this incredibly late update? ;u;.

I still don't have much ideas on how I should go about Akashi's situation? I guess the next chapter will take a while as well. I'm sorryyyyy

*Also, please note that there will be a ton of inaccuracies as I've never been to Kyoto in my life and that I'd written the part based solely on imagination and images I found on Google.